SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 53004

ORBITAL MONITORING OF HR1099 AND UX ARI

ABSTRACT

We propose to use ASCA as a critical element in a comprehensive study of the energetics in the outer atmospheres of two extremely active RS CVn binary stars. ASCA will monitor the soft X-ray emission from the coronal plasma over part of the orbital periods; the information will be used to derive estimates of cooling losses, obtain specific information on flare heating, and infer the distribution and vertical structure of the emitting plasma layers. In parallel, we will perform a multiwavelength observing campaign with the NRAO VLBA and VLA radio telescopes; these will yield high-sensitivity spatially-resolved images of nonthermal coronal plasma components. We will study the interaction between thermal and nonthermal plasmas in quiescence and during flares.